Barcelona have confirmed that Thomas Vermaelen has left the club to join Roma on a season-long loan.

A statement on Barca’s official website also reads Roma have “contractually agreed that the participation of the player remains active during the loan”, while the Giallorossi can make his arrangement permanent next summer.

Vermaelen joined La Blaugrana from Arsenal for €19m in 2014 but managed just 21 appearances in his two seasons at Camp Nou due to injuries and a subsequent failure to force his way into Luis Enrique’s plans.

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